Patents by Inventor Isaac S. Frampton

Isaac S. Frampton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Communication over generator bus
    Patent number: 10277229
    Abstract: A generator system includes at least one generator, at least one generator controller, and a power bus. The power bus transmits power to a load circuit. Data communications are also transmitted by the power bus. In one example, multiple generator controllers exchange messages over the power bus. In another example, one or more generator controllers exchange messages with a central controller over the power bus. The messages may include a status for the generators, output values for the generators, or commands for the generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Isaac S. Frampton
  • Dual axis alternator
    Patent number: 10273876
    Abstract: An alternator includes an exciter field device generating an exciter magnetic field in a first air gap, an exciter armature device configured to rotate with respect to the exciter magnetic field and impart a first voltage in a first set of coils at the first air gap, a main stator device including a second set of coils, and a rotor field device configured to be energized by the first current in the first set of coils and generate a main magnetic field that imparts a second voltage on the main stator device at a second air gap. The main stator device and the exciter field device lie in on a common plane normal to an axis of rotation, and the exciter armature device is inwardly spaced from the exciter field device, main stator device, and the rotor field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson, Frank C. Formas
  • Printed circuit board based exciter
    Patent number: 10256758
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a generator includes a rotor configured to rotate in cooperation with a stator to generate electrical power. An exciter of the generator includes at least one circuit board, a stationary exciter stator, and a control circuit. The circuit board is mechanically coupled to a rotor of the generator and includes at least one coil of an electrical conductor. The stationary exciter stator is configured to induce a current in the at least one coil of the at least one circuit board. The control circuit is configured to modify the current from the at least one coil and provide the modified current to a field of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson
  • SYNCHRONOUS INVERTER
    Publication number: 20190074779
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit. The first invertor circuit is configured to couple an alternator and a load device to deliver a driving signal from the alternator to the load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson
  • GENERATOR AND BATTERY BACKUP WITH CONVERSION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20190020284
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controlled field alternator or utility source of electrical power, a conversion device, and a controller. The conversion device includes a first power input associated with a first power source, a second power input associated with a second power source, and circuitry configured to perform a first conversion of power from a first format from the first power source to a second format for charging the second power source and perform a second conversion of power from the second format for the second power source to a third format for supplying a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Danforth, III, Adam Larson, Isaac S. Frampton
  • Communication failure handling
    Patent number: 10158248
    Abstract: An electrical power generator system may include two or more paralleled generators. At least one of the generators includes a first power source and a second power source. A disconnection of a first power source is identified at a generator controller of one of the generators. The generator controller may be configured to access or generate a power failure message indicative of the disconnection of the first power source. The generator controller may be configured to transmit the power failure message using the second power source because the second power source is switched to the generator controller in response to the disconnection of the first power source. The system may enter a communication failure handling mode based on the power failure message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers
  • Segmented waveform converter on controlled field variable speed generator
    Patent number: 10148207
    Abstract: A generator or another type machine includes a controlled field alternator, a segmented waveform converter, and a controller. The controlled field alternator is configured to generate a polyphase signal. The segmented waveform converter includes multiple switches connected between the polyphase signal of the controlled field alternator and an output filter. The controller is configured to provide a control signal for the switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with the output filter and provide a field current control signal to the controlled field alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson
  • Hybrid device with segmented waveform converter
    Patent number: 10148202
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controlled field alternator or utility source of electrical power, a segmented waveform converter, and a controller. The source of electrical power is configured to generate a polyphase signal. The synchronous inverter includes multiple switches connected between the polyphase signal of the source of electrical power and an output filter. The controller is configured to provide a control signal for the switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with the output filter and may provide a field control signal to the controlled field alternator. The apparatus may be applied to a vehicle, a lawnmower, a zero turn radius lawnmower, or another type of machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson, Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann
  • Gaseous Engine Fuel Delivery
    Patent number: 10145338
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system may be utilized in an internal combustion engine or a generator engine. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel injector and a venturi. The venturi provides a force for delivering the fuel into the manifold of the engine, and the fuel injector provides metering to control the amount of fuel delivered into the manifold of the engine. In one example, the fuel delivery system includes a first chamber configured to enclose a gaseous fuel, a second chamber configured to direct a flow of air through the venturi, and a plunger. The plunger is controlled to selectively connect and disconnect the first chamber and the second chamber to control the flow of the gaseous fuel into the second chamber under a differential pressure of the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Robert J. Danforth, III
  • PREDICTIVE GENERATOR EVENTS
    Publication number: 20180316220
    Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a load event in a generator system or a method for predicting the load event in the generator system may include monitoring output data associated with an electrical output of a generator, monitoring external sensor data associated with the generator, detecting a load event for the generator from the output data, identifying a subset of the external sensor data that preceded the load event from the output data, performing an analysis of the subset of the external sensor data, and determining a load event characteristic from the analysis, the load event characteristic indicative of a subsequent load event for the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Isaac S. Frampton
  • Output cable measurement
    Patent number: 10114061
    Abstract: A generator system includes a generator controller for monitoring the operation of generator cable. The generator controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable and a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable. The generator controller is configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal and compare the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value. A generator status message or a generator command is generated in response to the comparison. The characteristic value may be resistance of the generator cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Harrison C. Chiu
  • Protective functions for parallel generators
    Patent number: 10108165
    Abstract: A generator system may include two or more generators electrically connected through a generator bus. A controller receives operation data from a first generator. The operation data may describe a power flow from a second generator to the first generator. From the operation data, either a loss of speed control or a loss of voltage control may be identified at the second generator. The controller may generate a command for the second generator based on the loss of speed control or the loss of voltage control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
  • ADDING AND SHEDDING LOADS USING LOAD LEVELS TO DETERMINE TIMING
    Publication number: 20180262004
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of adding and shedding loads that are connected to a generator. The method includes determining whether a plurality of loads is being supplied with power by the generator and then determining the total load that the generator is supplying to the plurality of loads. The method further includes determining whether to change a number of the loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load L that is being supplied by the generator. The method further includes determining an amount of time T in which to change the number of loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load that is being supplied by the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Kenneth R. Bornemann, Harrison C. Chiu
  • Field current profile
    Patent number: 10063175
    Abstract: An output of a generator may vary according to the speed of the engine, physical characteristics of the engine, or other factors. A profile for a generator that describes a periodic fluctuation in an operating characteristic for the generator is identified. A field current of an alternator associated with the generator is modified based on the profile for the generator in order to counter variations in the output of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Isaac S. Frampton
  • Segmented waveform converter on controlled field variable speed generator
    Patent number: 10063097
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controlled field alternator or utility source of electrical power, a segmented waveform converter, and a controller. The source of electrical power is configured to generate a polyphase signal. The synchronous inverter includes multiple switches connected between the polyphase signal of the source of electrical power and an output filter. The controller is configured to provide a control signal for the switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with the output filter and may provide a field control signal to the controlled field alternator. The apparatus may be applied to a vehicle, a lawnmower, a zero turn radius lawnmower, or another type of machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson, Terrence Rotter
  • GENERATOR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
    Publication number: 20180173180
    Abstract: A generator system for operation of at least one generator and at least one breaker includes an interface, a database, and a generator controller. The interface is configured to receive an architecture for the generator system. The database includes at least one generator parameter and at least one breaker parameter. The generator controller is configured to determine generator layouts from the architecture for the generator system. The generator controller determines a generator system command based on a comparison of the generator layouts, the at least one generator parameter, and the at least one breaker parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers, Douglas W. Dorn, Allen Frederick
  • SYNCHRONOUS INVERTER
    Publication number: 20180167002
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit. The first invertor circuit is configured to couple an alternator and a load device to deliver a driving signal from the alternator to the load device. The second invertor circuit is configured to couple the alternator to the load device to deliver a driving signal from the alternator to the load device and configured to couple a battery to the alternator to deliver a charging signal from the alternator the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson
  • Alternator controller
    Patent number: 9998045
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a generator includes a rotor configured to rotate in cooperation with a stator to generate electrical power. A sensor, which is supported by the rotor, is configured to generate a trigger signal indicative of a position of the rotor. A communication interface is configured to receive the trigger signal from the sensor of the rotor and receive data indicative of an output of the generator. A controller supported by the rotor or configured to perform a phase analysis of the trigger signal and the output of the generator and calculate a power angle for the generator based on the phase analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson, Richard Van Maaren
  • Adding and shedding loads using load levels to determine timing
    Patent number: 9991709
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of adding and shedding loads that are connected to a generator. The method includes determining whether a plurality of loads is being supplied with power by the generator and then determining the total load that the generator is supplying to the plurality of loads. The method further includes determining whether to change a number of the loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load L that is being supplied by the generator. The method further includes determining an amount of time T in which to change the number of loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load that is being supplied by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Kenneth R. Bornemann, Harrison C. Chiu
  • OUTPUT CABLE MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20180149692
    Abstract: A generator system includes a generator controller for monitoring the operation of generator cable. The generator controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable and a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable. The generator controller is configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal and compare the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value. A generator status message or a generator command is generated in response to the comparison. The characteristic value may be resistance of the generator cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Harrison C. Chiu